Christopher St. John facts for kids

Christopher St. John, also known as Chris St. John, is an American actor, film director, film producer, and screenwriter. He has worked in both movies and television. He even had a small part in the TV series Remington Steele.

Christopher St. John's Career in Film and TV

Early Acting Roles

Christopher St. John became a member of the Actors Studio in the mid-1960s. This is a famous place where actors learn and practice their craft. He is most recognized for his role as Ben Buford in the 1971 movie Shaft. This film was part of a movie style called "blaxploitation," which featured Black actors in leading roles.

Directing and Producing Films

Between 1968 and 1988, Christopher St. John appeared in eight different movies and TV shows. He also took on other important roles behind the camera. For example, he played George Lattimer in the 1972 film Top of the Heap. But he didn't just act in it; he also wrote, directed, and produced the movie himself.

Top of the Heap was a very important film. It was chosen to be shown at the 22nd Berlin International Film Festival. It was even nominated for the Golden Bear, which is the biggest award at that festival. A film critic named Richard Brody called it a "crucial work of Afrofuturism." This means it was an important movie that explored Black culture and future ideas.

A Special Documentary Project

In 2014, a documentary film that Christopher St. John started working on in 1980 finally came out. The film is called A Man Called God. It was shown for the first time at the San Diego Black Film Festival. He worked on this film with his son, Kristoff St. John, who helped direct it.

Christopher St. John's Family Life

Christopher St. John had one son, who was also an actor, named Kristoff St. John. Sadly, Kristoff St. John passed away on February 3, 2019.

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